Arsenal secured a decisive 3-0 victory over Dinamo Zagreb, positioning themselves favorably for the Champions League last 16. The match, held on Tuesday night, saw Arsenal's Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and Martin Odegaard etch their names on the scoresheet at the Emirates Stadium. With this win, Arsenal can approach their final Champions League group game against Girona with minimal pressure, having established a significant lead in their group standings.
Declan Rice set the tone for the evening by netting the opening goal in just the second minute of play. This early strike put Arsenal in control, allowing them to dictate the pace and dynamics of the match. Kai Havertz followed up with the second goal, marking a milestone as the 500th goal scored under Mikel Arteta's management. Martin Odegaard sealed the victory with a third goal during stoppage time, ensuring Arsenal's dominance was reflected on the scoreboard.
"Very happy overall. It's a massive step, what we've done tonight. It's put us in a really nice position before we play the last game in Girona." – Mikel Arteta
Arsenal's performance was commanding as they maintained possession throughout the match and prevented Dinamo Zagreb from registering a single shot on target. This defensive solidity contributed significantly to their clean sheet at home—a testament to Arsenal's growing prowess under manager Mikel Arteta.
"Scoring three goals creating plenty of chances and dominating the game. And not conceding a shot, and another clean sheet at home. Overall, we're really happy." – Mikel Arteta
The victory places Arsenal third in the Champions League table, with a three-point advantage and a superior goal difference over ninth-placed Aston Villa. This advantageous position allows them to bypass February's play-off round, progressing directly to the subsequent round scheduled for March.
The knockout playoff round, involving matches on February 11/12 and February 18/19, will see seeded teams like Arsenal enjoying the benefit of playing their second leg at home. The draw determining these fixtures is set for Friday, January 31, at 11 am.
As Arsenal look ahead, the round of 16 is slated for March 4/5 and March 11/12, 2025, followed by quarter-final clashes on April 8/9 and April 15/16, 2025. The ultimate goal—a place in the final—is set for May 31, 2025.
Arteta expressed his satisfaction with Kai Havertz's performance, highlighting his development and increased impact on the field.
"We can see how much it meant to him," – Mikel Arteta
"His intent, his purpose, especially attacking the positions he's taking, how he's driving with the ball, there's another bite to his game," – Mikel Arteta
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